Former local talk show host Ben Crystal - Ben Bennett on the air - is seeking the congressional seat held by Democrat John Barrow.

Outspoken and controversial, Crystal says he'll run as a Republican in the 12th Congressional District, which takes in most of Savannah.

"It's about time we had someone who will take the 12th to Washington rather than take Washington to the 12th," Crystal said. "And I think I'm the person to do it."

Beyond that, Crystal had little to say about the incumbent, stressing that he wants to avoid personal attacks.

"Obviously, I think I can do a better job than him," the candidate said. "Otherwise I wouldn't be running."

Crystal was fired by WBMQ 630 AM in 2006 after he and the station's owners settled a defamation lawsuit with Chatham County Commissioner Harris Odell.

Crystal, 37, described himself as a conservative.

He said he supports the surge of U.S. troop strength in Iraq and the FairTax, a plan to substitute a national sales tax for most other federal levies.

His campaign for the July 15 GOP primary election will be managed by Savannah political consultant David Simons.

"He's an extremely articulate, well-versed person who can really debate the issues," said Simons, who sometimes filled in for Crystal on his show. "I think he will add some excitement to what otherwise has been a ho-hum race."

Bennett said he senses widespread resentment against the vituperative and vehement tone of political campaigns this year.

He acknowledged that people have said the same thing about his radio persona but said "that is not a fair assessment."

He calls himself "an energetic, high-powered and passionate man with an opinion."

University of Georgia political science professor Charles Bullock said Crystal's radio exposure is a political plus.

"It does help," Bullock said. "Voters are reluctant to support someone they don't know anything about. ... He has something his opponents would have to spend thousands of dollars to buy."

Former congressional aide John Stone of Augusta and Savannah mechanical engineer Ray McKinney also are running as Republicans.

Chatham County GOP Chairman Frank Murray isn't taking sides but said Crystal will be a strong candidate.

Murray conceded that Crystal, who once said he'd marry a Democrat "only if she was hot and mute," can be polarizing.

"Either people like him or they don't like him," he said. "There doesn't seem to be any in between."